The decision on whether or not we set a target to deliver carbon-free power will now be set in 2016 - after the next election. So instead of being able to invest confidently in low-carbon electricity, energy companies and investors will have four more years of uncertainty.

It's not like sorting out our electricity is an option.

Around a quarter of our electricity generating capacity will need to be replaced by the end of the decade. The only question is whether we replace it with gas, which is already driving up our fuel bills and would wreck our climate, or renewables, which would make bills more stable and help stave off climate disaster.

The silver lining in today's announcement is that Treasury put its money where its energy policy is. There's a cap on how much government can spend each year on low-carbon electricity, and that will now rise each year, from £2.35 billion today to £7.6 billion in 2020. (That's £25 per household today and £95 in 2020/21.)

The Lib Dems wanted to shout about this, to make up for caving in on the clean power target. Unsurprisingly, many people interpreted this as 'bills to rise to pay for clean power' - not what anyone wants to hear.

Truth is, our bills are rising because we're too dependent on gas.

The only way to stop that and get bills under control is to invest in the alternatives. The government's own advisors, the Committee on Climate Change, say its almost unthinkable that gas would be cheaper than renewables. If we listen to the Chancellor and dump all our money into gas, our bills will be even higher.

They could change to green energy overnight if they really wanted, but it will be non profit so no wonder they have set a 2030 deadline, I bet in 2030 it will change to 2040 and so on... the primeminister isnt letting people get away with stuff by accident his a meat puppet for the elite you want to get things changed then we dont elect labour or coservative ever.... ! ..

By adambrett - 30 November 2012 at 12:47am

16 large coal-fired power plants through 2016 as part of its five-year. Shares Loyalty Bonus Scheme to keep Kiwis holding on to their shares until some time.Be careful it could end up overly dependent on gas....!!!!

By Business Gas4u - 6 December 2012 at 1:56pm

16 large coal-fired power plants through 2016 as part of its five-year. Shares Loyalty Bonus Scheme to keep Kiwis holding on to their shares until some time.Be careful it could end up overly dependent on gas....!!!!

16 large coal-fired power plants through 2016 as part of its five-year. Shares Loyalty Bonus Scheme to keep Kiwis holding on to their shares until some time.Be careful it could end up overly dependent on gas....!!!!